Install win2008 on win2003 or Ultimate

I built mail server with intel Dual Core E2200 2.20GHz, 1GB RAM & 2HDDs (120 & 160GB) Win2003 & Win7Ultimate. How do I install Win2008 on either drives? Tried so far 2 no avail.Compatibility issues....Initially Intel Celeron processor then after the struggle to install I changed to the current processor although running a 32bit win7 ultimate. Now I want to run a clean install of win2008 in the hope that it will accept but still receiving the same message.
Assistance will be appreciated.
Ian

"The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running (which is true coz I've Win7 ultimate 32-bit). Check your Computer's system information to see whether you need an x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit) version of the program,then contact the software publisher." Thing is, I'm aware currently there's 32-bit O.S on the the drive I want to install Win Server 2008 but I'd like to believe a clean install can change all that considering I've changed the processor (Intel P.Dual Core 2.2GHz 64-bit) to the one capable of handling that. Please advice. Thanks

Hi,
It is Windows Server 2008 R2. Currently the Windows is running on x86 architecture but I thought running the CD with a restart (And F3) would get me to overrun the Win7 Ultimate (the drive I'm trying to install on).
The message is "The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running (which is true 'cause I've Win7 ultimate 32-bit). Check your Computer's system information to see whether you need an x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit) version of the program,then contact the software publisher." Thing is, I'm aware currently there's 32-bit O.S on the the drive I want to install Win Server 2008 but I'd like to believe a clean install can change all that considering I've changed the processor (Intel P.Dual Core 2.2GHz 64-bit) to the one capable of handling that. Please advise. Thanks

I did the ADprep on the other drive,Windows Server 2003 which is running fine with AD working alright but the issue is on the other drive with windows 7 ultimate as it is the one I want to replace with Windows Server 2008 R2. My display currently is 1280 x 1024 with the rest of specs I posted earlier.
Error message:
"The version of this file is not compatible with the version of Windows you're running (which is true 'cause I've Win7 ultimate 32-bit). Check your Computer's system information to see whether you need an x86(32-bit) or x64(64-bit) version of the program,then contact the software publisher." Thing is, I'm aware currently there's 32-bit O.S on the the drive I want to install Win Server 2008 but I'd like to believe a clean install can change all that considering I've changed the processor (Intel P.Dual Core 2.2GHz 64-bit) to the one capable of handling that. Please advice. Thanks

I have had the most success if I run something like dBan ( http://www.dban.org/download ) against a disk before attempting to load an operating system. This assures that a previous version that conflicts will not be found. The short (3 pass) is fine. I have also used this method when reinstalling after an OS was corrupted.

To those who say this isn't necessary, and just delete the partition and recreate it ... I've found that works in some cases, but it is not universal. Call me lazy, I just get rid of the problem the first time.

Thanks alot MS115, all I had to do was upgrade my 32-bit win 7 O.S to a 64-bit O.S first then ran my windows Server 2008 R2 standard and it worked fine. I'm practising on it, thanks a lot to all for your suggestions.
I appreciate it.

Let's be clear for someone reading this ... an upgrade generally means putting a disk in the drive and going from, say, Windows Vista 32-bit to Windows 7 32-bit. The change from 32-bit to 64-bit requires an installation (it can be done from custom install) which reformat and installs. I note this because while doing a backup first is ALWAYS best practice, the move from 32-bit to 64-bit will wipe what is on the installation partition and an 'upgrade' is generally non-destructive.

Copyright 1998-2015 Ziff Davis, LLC (Toolbox.com). All rights reserved. All product names are trademarks of their respective companies. Toolbox.com is not
affiliated with or endorsed by any company listed at this site.